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Abstract

Aim: This study aims to generate recommendations for enhancing the access and success
of historically disadvantaged students to health science education at UDW, based on barriers
identified within diverse schooling contexts and local conditions at UDW.
Methodology: A case study approach was used to select five former DET schools within
the DFR to constitute the sample of historically disadvantaged schools for this study. In order to
capture the specific ecological milieu, social and cultural conditions pertaining to rural, urban and
informal settlement contexts, three schools were strategically selected from each of these
contexts (i.e. Sobonakhona, Ilanga and Inhlanhlayethu High schools respectively). In addition,
two former DET schools that displayed relatively high achievement rates were also selected (i.e.
Vukuzakhe and Zwelibanzi High schools), in order to contextually understand how barriers to
positive educational outcomes might be overcome.
A multistage sampling procedure was used to sample 40 standard seven and 40 standard
ten scholars from each of the selected schools (n=400) and a purposive sampling procedure was
used to obtain a sample of teaching staff involved in career counselling and/or science education
in each school (n=16). In addition, saturation sampling was employed to obtain a sample of
second year African students in the Faculties of Health Sciences and Dentistry at UDW (n=73).
A combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was employed,
with questionnaires being administered to standard seven and ten scholars as well as to
historically disadvantaged health science students. In addition, a total of five focus groups were
conducted with teaching staff from each of the selected schools.
Results and discussion: It was evident that a complex and interwoven web of factors
impacted on the access and success of historically disadvantaged students in health science
education at UDW, including, inter alia, inadequate school instructional resources; limited
community economic resources; a paucity of educational opportunities and experiences in the
home environment; poverty status; low levels of self-efficacy in academic skill; inadequate school
career counselling; university selection procedures with a eurocentric bias; adjustment difficulties
in the transition from secondary to tertiary education; financial difficulties; a paucity of 'in-group'
academic role models; inadequate ADPs and negative conditions in campus student residences.
These results are discussed and interpreted within the context of relevant empirical
literature as well as a taxonomy derived from over 60 multivariate school-effects studies
undertaken in developing countries, comprising four dimensions, viz. ecology, milieu, social
system and culture.
Conclusions: On the basis of the findings of this study, recommendations for enhancing
the access and success of historically disadvantaged students to health science education at UDW
are offered. While these recommendations pertain to a broad range of stakeholders, including the
Education Ministry, the schooling sector and higher education institutions, particular attention is
paid to the development of practical recruitment, selection and retention strategies to be
employed by UDW and its Faculty of Health Sciences. Finally, the limitations of the study are
discussed and recommendations for future research in this field are offered.
KEY terms: access, success and equity; historically disadvantaged; health science education;
educational outcomes.